Apricot tree named &#39;GA 10F&#39;

ABSTRACT

This present invention relates to an apricot tree,  Prunus armeniaca , and more specifically to a new and distinct variety broadly characterized by a medium size vigorous, semi hardy with good production. This tree does need pollinization. ‘Castlebright’ and ‘Patterson are apricot varieties (unpatented) and are usually equally as pollenized. Under the environmental conditions in Central California San Joaquin Valley the fruit matures in mid May, 2005. The fruit is medium sized, with good orange color, orange yellow flesh color, firm with a good flavor. This variety is a second generation seedling of unknown parentage.

LATIN NAME OF THE GENUS AND SPECIES

The apricot cultivar of this invention is botanically identified as Prunus armeniaca.

VARIETY DENOMINATION

The variety denomination is ‘GA 10F’.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

In an effort to improve and to develop promising varieties of fruit for the consuming parties, fruit tree stock are planted in nurseries for examination and evaluation of different selections of apricot, peach and plum each year. The present invention represents an apricot seedling of unknown parentage that was discovered in April 1999. This new invention produced fruit early in maturing, possessed good size color and flavor. The seedling was asexually reproduced by budding on Citation (peach/plum hybrid) rootstock in 2000. The resulting trees were planted in the current location reproducing the fruit and plants that are in all respects possess all of the characteristics of the original plant. The present variety of freestone in type produces fruit days earlier than ‘Castlebright’ or ‘Patterson’ varieties with a higher degree of color.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present variety of apricot is characterized by a medium size, vigorous, good color, good flavor and is a good producer. The variety does need pollination by another variety of apricot. The fruit matures under the growing conditions in the Central San Joaquin Valley of Central California in mid May, 2005.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates, clockwise from top left: the front and back of whole leaves, whole leaves on a twig from a twig end, whole leaves on a twig from a twig mid-section, pit cavity, pit, and various views of the fruit displaying the characteristic skin color, shape, and color of the flesh.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring more specifically to the pomological characteristics of this new and distinct apricot tree the following have been observed under the environmental conditional conditions prevailing near Reedley, Fresno County (San Joaquin), California and was selected at the start of shipping ripe on May 14, 2005. All major color code designations are taken from the Dictionary of Color, Maerz and Paul, First Edition, 1930. Common color names are also used occasionally.

-   Tree:     -   -   Size.—medium — 8-10 feet high, 5-7 feet wide at 4th leaf.         -   Vigor.—good.         -   Growth (shape) figure.—upright and spreading.         -   Hardy.—normal for apricots in the Central San Joaquin             Valley.         -   Productivity.—very good. -   Trunk:     -   -   Size.—medium — 15 inches in circumference, 12 inches above             ground.         -   Texture.—semi rough.         -   Bark color.—Pl.46 H5 Near Old Mauve.         -   Lenticels.—scattered on trunk, small. -   Branches:     -   -   Size.—moderate — 5 inches in circumference, 24 inches above             crotch, angle of branches — approximately 37°.         -   Surface.—texture — mature — nearly smooth immature — smooth.         -   Color code (one year or older).—Pl.46 I5 — Old Mauve             (immature) Pl.7 H6 — Peony B.         -   Lenticels.—moderate number on branch Size — small — 1 mm-2             mm (0.04-0.08 inch). -   Leaves:     -   -   Size.—normal for apricot and alternate.         -   Length.—2.45-3.35 inch (63-85 mm).         -   Width.—1.89-2.52 inch (48-63 mm).         -   Shape.—Obovate with acuminate apex.         -   Color code.—Upwardly disposed surface — Pl.24 H12 Near             Chrome Gr. Deep for younger leaves — terminal leaf tips —             Pl.6 L3 — Pomegranate; some of the younger leaves have             reddish color on the edges. Downward disposed surface —             Pl.21 L6 Parrot Green.         -   Margin.—serrate.         -   Venation.—pinnate.         -   Leaf vein.—color code Pl.18 J7 — near Spring gr. Thickness             0.081 inch (2 mm).         -   Glandular characteristics.—none.         -   Petiole.—medium Length — 1.97-2.17 inch (50-55 mm) Thickness             — 2 mm (0.08 inch) Color Code — Pl.18 J5 Sky green.         -   Stem glands.—small ovate Position — on one side of stem             Pattern — sparse on younger stems Color Code — Pl.22 I5 Sage             Green.         -   Stipules.—Small — 1.2 mm (0.04-0.08 inch) Color Code — Pl.7             H9 Liverbrown and autumn oak. -   Flowers:     -   -   Flower buds.—moderately hardy for Central California climate             Shape — conic, clusters of two to three Size — length 7-5 mm             (0.30 inch) Width — 7.3 mm (0.287 inch) Color — white — Pl.1             A1 Calyx — 5 sepals — Color Code — Pl.17 I6 Viridine gr.         -   Flowers.—about 75% full bloom by February 23rd Abundant and             showy, perfect flowers Size — medium Diameter — 22-26 mm             (0.87-1.02 inch) Petals 5 — broadly ovate width — 8-9 mm             (0.31-0.354 inch) length — 10-11 mm (0.39-0.43 inch) edge —             undulate.         -   Claw.—small — 1 mm (0.04 inch).         -   Pedicel.—8-10 mm (0.31-0.39 inch) Color Code — Pl.17 I6             Viridine gr.         -   Pistil 1.—7-8 mm (0.28-0.31 inch) Stamens — 25-28.         -   Filament.—length 5-8 mm (0.30-0.35 inch).         -   Anther.—Small — 1 mm (0.04 inch) Color Code — Pl.13 L11             Peruvian Br. -   Fruit:     -   -   Date of maturity.—May 11-14, 2005 Size — medium — 6 fruit             avg. 3¼ oz. (approx. 91 grams) Diameter Axial Plane — 2 5/32             inch (54.8 mm) Transverse in Suture Plane — 1 31/32 inch             (50 mm) Transverse in Right Angles to Suture Plane — 2⅛ inch             (54 mm).         -   Form.—nearly uniform Symmetrical or asymmetrical — nearly             symmetrical — slightly oblong Suture — distinct groove             extending from base to apex with deep groove at the apex or             stem cavity Ventral Surface — rounded lipped both sides Stem             Cavity — Width 11 mm (0.43 inch) Depth 14 mm (0.55 inch)             Length 13 mm (0.51 inch) Shape — elongated Stem — short — ¼             inch (6.2 mm) Caliper — ⅜ inch (9.525 mm) Apex — rounded             Pistil Point — negligible Skin — Thickness — medium Texture             — smooth Tendency to Crack — moderate in wet weather.         -   Color code.—Blush color Pl.4 L10 Holly Berry Ground color             Pl.3 H10 Coral Bell Flesh Color Pl.4 G10 — Araby Color of             Surface — Pl.5 H9 Near athenia faded rust Color of Pit Well             — Pl.7 L12 Caldera.         -   Juice production.—moderate.         -   Flavor.—amygdalin moderate.         -   Aroma.—slight to moderate.         -   Texture.—firm.         -   Fibers.—moderate numbers and coarse.         -   Ripening.—slightly uneven, first near apex.         -   Eating quality.—very good. -   Stone:     -   -   Free or cling.—Freestone.         -   Fibers.—Number many Length — 5-11 mm (0.197-0.43 inch).         -   Size.—Length 1.25-1.30 inch (32-33 mm) Width — 0.91-1.02             inch (23-26 mm) Thickness — 0.45-0.52 inch (11-13 mm).         -   Form.—ovate.         -   Hilium.—4-5 mm (0.16-0.20 inch) long.         -   Apex shape.—Broadly cuneate.         -   Color code (dry).—Honey Middlestone is Pl.12 J6.         -   Base.—rounded, cupped at the Hilium.         -   Sides.—nearly equal.         -   Ridges.—apex to base on ventral side.         -   Tendency to split.—not known.         -   Use.—Fresh market.         -   Keeping & shipping.—quality.         -   Resistance to disease.—unknown.         -   Harvesting.—May 12-14, 2005.         -   Has the new variety been sold.—yes — May 2005.         -   Has the new variety been publicly used or exhibited.—no.         -   Have any reproducible parts been given away.—no.         -   Name of the new variety.—‘GA 10F’. 

1. A new and distinct variety of apricot tree having characteristics described and illustrated herein. 